Recent studies suggest four out of 10 persons feel lonely at least one or two days per week (Mikail, 2023; Pasquini & Keeter, 2023), with younger persons (Millennials and Gen Z) exhibiting signs of extreme alienation and disconnection more than other generations. Even older people, who are frequently stereotyped as isolated with few persons to speak to and objectively have lost many family members and friends who have passed on, report less loneliness than Millennials. Why do millennials report being the most lonely, and what can be done to address it?
Thirty percent of people between 23 and 38 said they often or always "feel lonely." “But wait,” you may say. Aren’t they connected through technology, social media platforms, and various apps?” Yes, but one of the challenges of extensive smartphone and app use today is that we are being trained to stare at screens rather than meet and have face-to-face conversations with people.
Researchers have found evidence that we get a dopamine reward each time we receive a notification, and this can become addictive over time. Still, at the same time, people who exceed eight hours of screen time per day tend to report other issues: depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and other serious challenges to their well-being.
Further, what we see and hear on our phones are often not technically real: baseless opinions, conspiracy theories presented as “facts” and “news,” falsehoods designed to stoke grievance and outrage, and unbidden text messages (never reply to a message from an unknown number that starts out “Hi, how are you?” or “How have you been lately?”).
Other instances of a lack of authenticity can be found in dating profiles. Reported experiences with dating apps border on the absurd, where profiles feature a real picture that is 10-20 years old or an artificial intelligence (AI) generated image so far from reality that if one meets the person, they can be unrecognizable. The probability of having an authentic encounter with someone can be seriously impeded when the “facts,” information, and identity of persons we communicate with are works of fiction. Plus, people have totally different goals for meeting someone (e.g., a basic first date versus a hook-up). Some scenarios described by peers and clients sound like fodder for a Saturday Night Live skit.
A meeting of minds used to happen via religious gatherings or congregations and school, but what's one to do if you’re not in school or meeting new people via church, mosque, temple, etc.? A possible solution is to create spaces and locations where one (and not just Millennials) can meet folks who share additional common interests. One possibility is through regular exercise outside the home. Going to a YMCA or a gym to a Zumba, yoga, meditation, or cycling class presents an opportunity to enjoy physical activity, meet regular attendees, and have brief conversations with them before and after the session.
In addition to the obvious positive physical effects of the exercise, it can be surprising how beneficial a quick convo can be with someone you may have just met or have been a member at your location for 10-15 years and you have never exchanged names before. The boost in mood is palpable (Epley & Schroeder, 2014) and synergistically can lead to better workouts due to increased available energy and motivation. These conversations do not need to extend beyond the exercise space but sometimes do, leading to coffee, shared meals, and even friendships.
In conclusion, spending a little less time on the phone and a little more time walking in the neighborhood, in a park, or going early and staying late at the gym can work wonders for one’s mood and sense of connection with others because you’re actually seeing them, face to face, in real-time. Besides, this way, you'll know what someone really looks like.
References
Epley, N., & Schroeder, J. (2014). Mistakenly seeking solitude. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(5), 1980–1999. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037323
Pasquini, G., & Keeter, S. (2023). At least four-in-ten U.S. adults have faced high levels of psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic. Retrieved at https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/12/12/at-least-four-in-ten-u-s-adults-have-faced-high-levels-of-psychological-distress-during-covid-19-pandemic/
Why Are Millennials the Loneliest Generation?
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23.03.2024
Recent studies suggest four out of 10 persons feel lonely at least one or two days per week (Mikail, 2023; Pasquini & Keeter, 2023), with younger persons (Millennials and Gen Z) exhibiting signs of extreme alienation and disconnection more than other generations. Even older people, who are frequently stereotyped as isolated with few persons to speak to and objectively have lost many family members and friends who have passed on, report less loneliness than Millennials. Why do millennials report being the most lonely, and what can be done to address it?
Thirty percent of people between 23 and 38 said they often or always "feel lonely." “But wait,” you may say. Aren’t they connected through technology, social media platforms, and various apps?” Yes, but one of the challenges of extensive smartphone and app use today is that we are being trained to stare at screens rather than meet and have face-to-face conversations with people.
Researchers have found evidence that we get a dopamine reward each time we receive a notification, and this can become addictive over time. Still, at the same........
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